bbc.co.uk navigation

5 March 2013 Last updated at 12:56

Zoo imitates gorilla mum to help baby settle in

Baby gorilla with zookeeper

Zookeepers in America are dressing up and imitating a mother gorilla to help a one month old baby gorilla adjust to its new home.

Staff at Cincinnati Zoo are wearing black outfits and grunting affectionately to help baby Gladys, whose mother wasn't caring for her properly, settle in.

"Whatever a gorilla mum would do with her baby is what we have to do with this baby,'' said Ron Evans, one of the zoo's staff members.

It's hoped that after a few months the baby will be able to socialise with and be accepted by the zoo's eight other gorillas.

More on This Story

  • Watch NewsroundWatch Newsround

    Watch the latest update from Newsround, CBBC's news programme for children.

BBC © 2013 The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.